What Happens When NYC Doormen Go on Strike

Plus: Paging Dr. Jack Abbot of ‘The Pitt’

View in browser | Update preferences SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS A couple weeks back, I found a folded sheet of paper lodged in my apartment door with some chilling news: The powerful union representing apartment building employees across New York City—doormen, porters, maintenance staff, and more—would soon go on strike if they could not come to an agreement with the real estate powers that be. This might seem like a minor inconvenience for folks who, as Elise Taylor writes today for Vanity Fair, have “made it” in “a city of hustlers and strivers”—that is, “reached a socioeconomic status that finally allows for urban life to be a little bit easier.” But there is precedent for this kind of work stoppage in New York’s tony precincts, and the effects can ripple out far and wide. The last time, in 1991, Department of Sanitation workers stood in solidarity with apartment building staff and refused to collect garbage from the buildings in question, forcing then mayor David Dinkins to declare a citywide health emergency. As we may soon find out once again, these workers are not in the “convenience” business. They’re essential to the city’s proper functioning. There are reports today that a tentative agreement has been reached between the two parties. If it falls apart, we may soon find out once again that these workers are not in the “convenience” business. They’re essential to the city’s proper functioning. Read on to learn more about what might happen if New York’s doormen go on strike—and for a detailed look at The Pitt’s new clinical heartthrob. JACK HOLMES, SENIOR EDITOR Why this ad? What Happens When NYC Doormen Go on Strike BY ELISE TAYLOR Mountains of garbage, history says. READ MORE Get more as a Vanity Fair subscriber Exclusive offer: Subscribe to get one month of Vanity Fair free START YOUR FREE TRIAL More Great Reads MUSIC A Glittering Evening With Mariah Carey BY LINDSEY UNDERWOOD The superstar did a surprise performance at Tiffany’s star-studded Blue Book celebration, and let VF come along for the ride. READ MORE TELEVISION Shawn Hatosy Is the Internet’s Newest Babygirl BY WISDOM IHEANYICHUKWU The Pitt’s emergency room heartthrob on his side job as a good-hearted internet troll, the show’s ICE episode, the possibility of a night-shift spin-off, and winning Gen Z’s affection. READ MORE FASHION All the Looks From LACMA’s Star-Studded Gala BY MAGGIE COUGHLAN In celebration of the museum’s brand-new galleries, artists, actors, musicians, models, and more showed their support for the new expansion, including Heidi Klum, Sharon Stone, Rich Paul, and more. READ MORE Video The Zombiefication of Zayn BY VANITY FAIR Zayn gets real and personal with VF as he creates a sculpture of himself. From the first time he realized he wanted to be a musician to how much he’s changed since the One Direction days, the singer breaks down all the things that make him who he is now. READ MORE Why this ad? In Case You Missed It The Queen’s Reported Trust Issues According to historian Hugo Vickers, the monarch no longer trusted Prince Harry after his public attacks on the royal family. She refused to “answer his phone calls unless there was a witness who could record what was said.” MORE FROM VANITY FAIR POLITICS BUSINESS HOLLYWOOD STYLE ROYALS CELEBRITY This e-mail was sent to you by VANITY FAIR. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2026. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.